The Childcare Environment

Running head: PEDAGOGY
PEDAGOGY
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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Introduction:
The childcare environment serves as the most essential source of information about different
gender roles and expectations. Further Schachner et al. (2016), mentioned that the early
childhood environment also helps to nurture the understanding of children about cultural
diversity and equality. Different kindergartens, preschools as well as the childcare environments
form the preliminary institutions from where children sense cue and develop an understanding of
the behavior about how they are expected to behave in the society. In this regard, it should be
mentioned that the early year educators play a crucial role in influencing the development of
children. The early year educators are positioned at the capacity of creating class room
environments that breed equality and mutual trust. Further, the early educators can also help
foster culturally safe environment that is free from racial, ethnic or disability discrimination
(Schachner, 2019). Overall, the holistic essence of cultural diversity and acceptance is heavily
influenced during the child hood years and the fostering of a positive environment has been
studied to contribute to positive development.
Choice of children’s story and justification:
In this context, it should be mentioned that the story chosen for the essay is, ‘All are welcome’
by the authors Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman. The story can be defined as a warm
and welcoming picture book that celebrates cultural diversity and serves as a source of
inspiration for children (Penfold, 2018). The primary theme of the story is based on following a
bunch of children throughout their course of day in a school. The school supports cultural
diversity and accepts every child with open arms. The pictorial representations showcase a
school where different kids with patkas, yarmulkes and hijabs play side by side along with other

2PEDAGOGY
friends using baseball caps (Penfold, 2018). The school is the place where the different students
grow together and learn from one another about their respective different traditions. Also, the
story reflects a sense of unity in diversity when the entire community gathers together for the
celebration of the lunar New Year. Therefore, the justification for the choice of the story can be
mentioned as the cultivation of cultural diversity and equality within young children and making
them aware about the fact that they have a secured space which is free from any kind of
discrimination or stereotyping and they are all welcome there with open arms (Russo, 2019).
Identification and critique of dominant discourses and messages addressing diversity:
The book, ‘All are welcome’ is notably one of the most inspiring books that carries a positive
impact till the last page of the book has been turned and the impact that lingers for a long time
after the completion of the book. The story line of the book is a simple one that follows a bunch
of children through a regular day at their school. The author has critically defined and made the
concept of a community clear in the book, where it is mentioned that differences between
individuals result in the formation of a community (Penfold, 2018).
The most significant essence of the book that has been cultivated by the authors can be
mentioned as, it does not matter how the children start their day or what do they wear to school
or if they come from far off places, what matters is irrespective of all the differences, every child
is welcome at the school. In addition to the same, the book also portrays beautiful art and
accompanies message. In one of the pages of the book, the authors have also paid homage to the
eminent and remarkable poet, Dr. Maya Angelou. This can be rightfully understood from on e of
the pictorial representations, where a teacher is reading aloud to a class of students and looks
similar to Dr. Maya Angelou. She can be seen reading out from the book, ‘Life Doesn’t Frighten

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Me’. In the same page, all the children belonging to different cultures and ethnicity, irrespective
of their differences are seen to sit together in class and listen to the story. Also, children of
different communities are seen to sit together and it appears as though there is close friendship
between them. For instance, a little boy with a ‘patka’ belonging from the Sikh community is
seen to sit with a ‘white’ boy in the class while listening to the teacher read out the story. The
brilliant illustrations by Suzanne Kaufam within the book efficiently portray how each child
should feel within an educational institution (Zachrisen, 2018). Also, it reflects the strong
message that every child should feel safe as they deserve a safe space for themselves within the
world (Jozwiak, 2019).
Another key message that has been given in the book which refers to the children can be
mentioned as they (the children) are a part of the community and the diversity of the community
serves as the strength that provisions shelter and protection from any of the adversities. Again the
ending lines are mentioned as ‘All are welcome here’.
The message by Penfold, carries weight and can be described as the most impactful message on
multiculturalism. As per Diaz (2017), unity or oneness despite the cultural differences can serve
as the positive strength that can help humankind to tackle any form of adversities.
In one of the pages, the world map is illustrated where in the children of the different cultural
communities are seen to point out the origin of their cultures. This is again a unique example
how an in-depth understanding about cultural diversity can be fostered in the early learning
years. ‘All are Welcome’ overall represents a lively city-school that celebrates cultural diversity.
Also, the front-endpapers of the book depict the adult care-providers that walk the children to
school. The families of the children are an amalgamation of inter-racial parents, same-sex